Copy the Curb Appeal: Minneapolis, MN

HGTV Magazine took a spin through Minneapolis, MN, and found charming houses worth a closer look.

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Mellow Yellow

Homeowners Britt and Christopher Dougall bought their 1902 home in 1993, and since then they’ve repainted the exterior and rebuilt the porch. “Now they’re two of our favorite things about it,” they say.

Lattice

A porch lattice skirt is an easy addition to a house on a pier-and-beam foundation that’s raised off the ground. Nail it onto the wooden beam of the foundation, or to the siding itself. White traditional vinyl lattice, 8'W x 1/4"D x 2'H, $13, lowes.com

Calming Colors

Homeowners Katherine and Scott Kovarik say “we love how cozy our Cape Cod looks from the outside. The yard and white exterior remind us of an English cottage.” Built in 1950, they bought the home in 2010.

Shutters + Flower Beds

The Kovariks’ blue shutters pretty up the narrow front windows on the right side and add color against the white. These are called combination shutters, louvered on the top with a raised panel on the bottom. The landscaping was fixed up with plenty of green plants, like hostas, and hits of color, like pink phlox.

Paint Colors

The Selling Point

Kathy Spraitz and Mike Swanson bought their 1899 home in 1999, but it was the one element that really caught their eye. “We bought this porch, and the house came with it. It’s still our favorite feature,” they say.

Porch Light

Swap out a simple square or rectangular light for something unexpected, like this hexagonal shape. It’s still classic enough to fit in with any style. Home Solutions by Feiss Martinsville 3-light outdoor sconce in black finish, $147, atgstores.com